Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

Surat An-Naml (The Ant)
Surat An-Naml is a Makkan. It comes after Surat Ash-Shu’ara both in the order of
revelation and in the order of the Qur’an. It consists of 93 ayahs
Surah of civilization excellence
Surat An-Naml talks about the civilization excellence : it evokes the idea that
Muslims should own a powerful civilization through science, technology, military
and material power in order to defend and protect Allah’s (SWT) religion. The Surah
addresses those who believe that Islam is only about praying, shedding tears
(symbolizing submission to and fear from Allah) and reciting Qur’an. These acts are
important, yet they should be associated with the means that enable Muslims to lead
the world and manage it in accordance with Allah’s (SWT) methodology. Moreover,
Muslims’ civilization excellence, scientific and technological progress help in Da’wa
(call to Allah) (by encouraging people to embrace Islam). Da’wa produces much
more impact on people than if the Muslims were in a situation of failure. In brief, the
Surah tells the Ummah (nation) of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), you will not gain the
respect of other nations nor will you play a leading role unless you have civilization
excellence and catch up with state-of –the-art-technology.
Thus, we notice that every Qur’anic Surah conveys a clear message to Muslims,
completing the Qur’anic Surahs exhibition of Allah’s (SWT) Method and showing us
how the Qur’an Surahs are connected to one another to form an integral structure.
After Surat Ash-Shu’ara, which highlights the pivotal role that media plays, comes
Surat An-Naml, which underlines the importance of civilization excellence. Both
serve the same goal, which is the importance of civilization excellence and the use of
all the means in this world (material or technological) for the Muslims to reach
supremacy and to be influential in relation to other civilizations.
The successful establishment
The symbol of civilization excellence in this Surah is Solaiman (AS) (Solomon) and
his kingdom, which combined faith and success in life. Such establishment
corresponds to what is known today as a multinational company, it employs different
types of creatures: people, Jinn, birds, ants and animals. Let us then consider the
details of civilization excellence in Solaiman’s (AS) kingdom and how the story, in its
exacting detail treat the different aspects and dimensions of civilization excellence
and success in life:
1. Underlining the importance of knowledge
“And indeed We already brought Dawud (David) and Solaiman (Solomon)
knowledge…” (TMQ, 27:15). There is no superiority without science. A
Muslim student cannot serve Islam unless he/she was successful in his studies at
school and university because this is the essence of Islam. “And they (both)
said, “Praise be to Allah, Who has graced us over many of His believing
bondmen.” (TMQ, 27:15). Favored them with what With knowledge of course
and He also gave them another favor, which is recognizing the value of the grace
of knowledge and thanking Allah (SWT) for it. The nation whose students cheat